OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc. Homepage SWFA     SampleList.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Scopes > Rifle Scopes
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Leveling your scope
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials.

Leveling your scope

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
MarshallNole View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: March/06/2013
Status: Offline
Points: 37
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MarshallNole Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Leveling your scope
    Posted: March/07/2013 at 12:16
Is the Wheeler scope mounting kit pretty much the standard for getting your scope mounted and leveled?

I plan to mount whatever scope I buy on a Bobro Precision Rifle QD mount (slightly forward). I want to have everything in place to get the scope mounted and level when it gets here.
Back to Top
BeltFed View Drop Down
Optics Retard
Optics Retard
Avatar

Joined: February/12/2008
Location: Ky
Status: Offline
Points: 22268
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BeltFed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/07/2013 at 13:26
I'm assuming your mounting on some type or AR platform, since your using a Bobro mount.
The Wheeler kit is a good way to start if it includes the Fat Wrench. The Level, Level, Level kit is handy but not needed, as there are cheaper ways to level the scope. With the Bobro mount, you won't need the ring lapping kit, or the ring alignment rods.
I'm cheap,and old, so I have been able to get by without most of the stuff in the kit, but if your just starting out, the kit is a good investment, but an inch/pound torque wrench is a must.
Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.
Back to Top
MarshallNole View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: March/06/2013
Status: Offline
Points: 37
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MarshallNole Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/07/2013 at 14:05
What do you use to level your scopes?
Back to Top
jdgray View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: October/26/2012
Status: Offline
Points: 28
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jdgray Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2013 at 05:17
Originally posted by MarshallNole MarshallNole wrote:

What do you use to level your scopes?
A stack of feeler gauges while mounting, then shooting the rifle at a true vertical line to see if it tracks up the line while dialing up elevation.
Back to Top
300S&W View Drop Down
Optics God
Optics God
Avatar

Joined: January/27/2008
Location: Burlington,WV
Status: Offline
Points: 10592
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 300S&W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2013 at 09:17
 
 I've been using one of these for yrs.  Haven't had any complaints yet.
 
"I ain't got time to bleed!"
Back to Top
FireEMT5 View Drop Down
Optics Journeyman
Optics Journeyman
Avatar

Joined: September/07/2010
Location: S.E. Minnesota
Status: Offline
Points: 317
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FireEMT5 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2013 at 16:56
Feeler guage method or even a deck of playing cards to level.
 
Borka torque wrench to tighten.  Have a Fat Wrench also, but just don't trust the spring mechanism to stay accurate, but I must say it does come very close to my Borka.
 
With a one piece mount, you probably won't need anything else.
 
On a bolt gun where you are mounting a base, as long as you take the time to bed it so it stays flat and true, and use a set of quality rings, you most likely won't need anything else then either.
Back to Top
sakomato View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master
Avatar

Joined: February/28/2008
Location: Houston
Status: Offline
Points: 1165
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sakomato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2013 at 17:00
Lots of ways to skin a cat, a couple of them seem to be rising to the top
 
The Wheeler level-level-level is not one of the better ones and it is hard to get it to work on some rifles.  The little levels are seldom accurate and it is not always possible to find a surface to set them on that has a direct correlation to the level of the reticle.  The top of the turret may or may not be level with the reticle as well as the scope bases or the action
 
 
the little plastic holders of the level bubbles are sometimes out of alignment with the bubbles themselves
 
The segway I used to have was a much older one and didn't have the bar to go on the bases.  Whether the scope bases are level will depend upon how you hold your rifle and whether you hold and shoot with a cant or not.
 
There is a tool called the Reticle Tru that everyone is excited about
 
 
kinda of expensive but buy once and done
 
I use a tool called the EXD which will align the barrel of the scope and the barrel bore and then you rotate the scope in the rings.  It will level the reticle when the rifle is uncanted
 
 
You set your rifle in a vise aimed at a distant object that is vertical or horizontal.  I aim the gun out the door to a 4' level sitting on a fence 30 yards out in the yard.  Then the vees fit over the barrel of the gun and the barrel of the scope
 
 
when the EXD is level then the rifle is uncanted.  Then you can rotate the scope in the rings until the reticle aligns with your distant object.  Locking the rings down will move the scope arount but when you have the EXD level and the reticle aligned then the reticle will be level when the rifle is uncanted.
 
But you need to duplicate that in the field and this is a good time to install an anti-cant device like the ScopLevel
 
 
which you can see without lifting your head off the butt but folds down when not in use
 
 
Guns only have 2 enemies, rust and politicians
Back to Top
Kickboxer View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Moderator

Joined: February/13/2008
Status: Offline
Points: 23679
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2013 at 17:23
Each to their own issues.  I've never had a bit of problem with the Level-Level-level.  I've never had to replace the levels, never had a problem with them being off.  Doesn't mean no one has, but because someone has doesn't mean everyone has.  
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living
Back to Top
Bitterroot Bulls View Drop Down
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Avatar

Joined: May/07/2009
Location: Montana
Status: Offline
Points: 3416
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2013 at 19:30
I use the Wheeler Professional Kit, and use the barrel level to level the rifle off of the rail.  Then I use a bright pink plumb line at 100 yards to level the reticle to the barrel level.
-Matt
Back to Top
Kickboxer View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Moderator

Joined: February/13/2008
Status: Offline
Points: 23679
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2013 at 19:43
I always double check with a plumb line...  doesn't take long to do and just gives that little extra "validation" that what you've done is good to go.
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living
Back to Top
JGRaider View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master


Joined: February/06/2008
Status: Offline
Points: 1540
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2013 at 20:20
http://parabola-llc.com/

Double check with plum-line


edited to activate hyperlink


Edited by Kickboxer - March/09/2013 at 09:20
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.268 seconds.